Album of The Day: AUTOMATIC – “Art Imitates Life”

Yes indeed, today I spotlight, and will continue to focus on some of 2012′s most overlooked efforts throughout the weeks ahead. With that being said, some of you may recall the duo of A.P.R.I.M.E. (emcee) and Trellmatic (producer) via their 2010 LP, “Transistor”, which featured one of my favorite tracks of that year with “The Rhythm” and some of you may have even heard their 2008 debut, “Audiology” which…ahem, I never knew existed prior to visiting the crew’s BandCamp today. With the October release of “Art Imitates Life”, AUTOmatic captured the essence of the Native Tongue family and delivered honest and passionate verses with a sonic backdrop that will instantly draw comparisons to Panacea. And with influences spanning from The Beatles to Ahmad Jamal, it’s obvious why originality and capturing that “classic feel” takes precedence on this record.

The first of what is slated to be the a three LP series from AUTOmatic, “Art Imitates Life” was released on the heralded (at least to us underground heads) Dope Folks label, which is also based in Milwaukee and is also responsible for the re-surfacing of popular indie records from the likes of Omniscience, Lord Aaqil and Rock La Flow, to name a few. Without the risk of being pigeonholed as “stuck in the 90′s”. Tracks such as the thumping “Zulu Beats” (trust me, invest in a solid pair of headphones for this one!), “Get Up” and the album’s outro cut “Vespa” f. Logic (which will take you back to the days of “I Left My Wallet In El Segundo”) are all fueled by that good ol’ Boom Bap, yet laced with a new school feel to keep it current.

Highly recommended, “Art Imitates Life” is now available at a “Name Your Price” feature below, but all the true headz can peep the vinyl at Dope Folks.